Monthly Archives: May 2010

Always wanted one of these at our house—an old shed with lots of character in which I could pot and re-pot plants, plus provide me a place to slip away and hide when I needed to be alone. I spotted this one in the back yard of one of the numerous historic homes in Old Salem, NC earlier this month. (Nikon D300, ISO 200, 65mm, f5, 1/200 sec. Developed in Lightroom 3, Beta 2)

This nice lady dressed in period clothing at Old Salem, NC was one of two I spoke with during a recent visit to the historic, late 1700s tourist attraction located in Winston-Salem, NC. While visitors roam the streets, gardens and shops in the restored town, many full time employees like this one, perform daily chores done in the past, while at the same time acting as historical interpreters—and being nice people to just talk with. I first asked if it would be OK if I took some photos, and both she and the women working alongside said absolutely—that was an expected part of them being there. They had just finished washing clothes in a large iron pot, with water heated by a wood fire underneath. Some of the washing had been placed on top of the grass in order to dry, while the rest was hanging on a line. While the wash was drying on that hot day, they decided to pull weeds from their herb garden, which was full of sage, chives, rosemary, oregano, and other plants with wonderful fragrances. I told them my neighbors and I today also have gardens to tend to and they laughed and said, “Weeding has always been a chore hasn’t it.” (Nikon D300, ISO 200, 170mm, f5.6, 1/80 sec. Developed in Lightroom 3, Beta 2)

This is an original wine cellar located in the basement level of a 1700’s era tavern and guest house located in historic Old Salem, NC. I did not want to use a flash, so I stood up against the wall opposite to brace myself and steady my hand and camera as best I could.The image came out pretty good in my opinion. The light next to the open window is obviously modern day to allow for safe passage of visitors like me, but it is interesting to wonder just how dark it would have been in there when a candle or two would have replaced the electric light. However, I guess if retrieving a full wine bottle were to be your goal, you’d find a way to get to it. (Nikon D300, ISO 200, 18mm, f4.5, 1/13 sec. Developed in Lightroom 3, Beta 2)

Now here’s a porch just made to sit back, read, rock and relax. Caught the scene at a “lived-in” house near Old Salem, NC, just outside the historic section, where some of the homes do not have permanent residents. Nice place to live, even with all the tourists walking and gawking in front of the porch, just as I was doing that day. (Nikon D3000, ISO 200, 48mm, f4.5, 1/320 sec. Developed in Lightroom 3, Beta 2)

This building in Old Salem, NC was made a bit more interesting when I positioned my self down low enough behind a fountain pool in front, such that I was able to get some reflection in the foreground. If you look close, you can see some of the coins people have tossed in, hoping to have their wish answered. (Nikon D300, ISO 200, 18mm, f10, 1/200 sec. Developed in Lightroom 3, Beta 2)

I’m a nut for doors, photographically speaking, and when I saw this one on a bright yellow painted barn in Old Salem, NC I just had to take a shot. What I like best other than the composition is the grain on the door’s inside, plus seeing just a bit of what’s inside. Makes you want to go inside to see what’s actually there. (Nikon D300, ISO 200, 38mm, f5.6, 1/80 sec. Developed in Lightroom 3, beta 2)

Last week I spent a day walking around historic Old Salem in Winston-Salem, NC. Not only were the historic buildings and gardens very interesting to see and to photograph, but so were the people who are employed full time there, and who dress in period clothing, and who carry on with daily activities such as would have been done when Salem, NC was home to hundreds of Moravians who had settled there in the late 1700s . One example is this strikingly beautiful young lady who was walking down the street with basket in hand. This was not an easy photograph for me to take, essentially because she was quite a ways from me when I saw her coming. I waited until she entered a small patch of sunlight between nearby buildings, and until she looked up toward me. I had to crop this to get the frame I wanted. Before I could speak with her, she entered a shop and I decided to pass on by. By the way, those enacting period activities truly enjoy having their photograph taken, and later I spoke with two other ladies who were working in an herb garden. I’ll post their photo later on and tell you what they had to say. (Nikon D300, ISO 200, 200mm, f11, 1/60 sec. Developed in Lightroom 3 Beta 2)

Title says it all. I never noticed how large the feet on a Finch were until I started taking close up photographs of them recently. Claws are more like it. (Nikon D300, ISO 800, 300mm, f5.6, 1/500 sec. Developed in Lightroom 3 Beta 2)

Not much to say about this photo except that I see it every day as I walk out our back door. It’s a glass yard ornament, and when viewed close up with a telephoto lens, it’s kinda neat looking. (Nikon D300, ISO 800 – why that high?- because I took it in the midst of taking some photos of Finches earlier and I never switched to a lower ISO- 300mm, f5.6, 1/500 sec. Developed in Lightroom 3 Beta 2)